TV
MBN's 'Legend of the Unknown' Sees Shocking Upsets in 1-on-1 Death Matches
According to Nielsen Korea on the 2nd, the 6th episode of MBN's 'Legend of the Unknown' aired on the 1st, achieving a peak viewership rating of 7.66% among paid households. The show has maintained its position as the number one Wednesday entertainment program for six consecutive weeks, topping all channels in its time slot and proving its high popularity.
The broadcast featured the start of the second round of the '1-on-1 Death Match.' The outcome was determined by a total of 15 votes, combining 14 votes from the top professional panel and one from the national panel. Among the 38 contestants who survived the initial rounds, the competition was fierce, with narrow margins leading to unexpected shifts in rankings.
Top contenders from the unknown selection, Han Garak, Moon Eun-seok, and Haru, made their presence felt, shaking up the competition. Han Garak, who topped the 'Unknown Selection,' faced off against 'Singing Firefighter' Seo Hee-cheol. While Seo Hee-cheol showcased a lively dance performance, Han Garak relied on his deep emotional singing, earning praise from Joo Hyun-mi for his sincerity and winning the match.
In the veteran showdown, a single mistake determined the outcome. Pyeon Seung-yeop, known as the 'Eternal Active,' performed 'Gain' with skillful modulation but stumbled over the lyrics. Despite mixed reviews, the national panel ultimately favored Lee Ru-ne, who delivered a passionate performance of 'Only for You.' Pyeon Seung-yeop accepted his defeat with grace.
The match between Moon Eun-seok and Haru, both discovered through 'Legend of the Unknown,' was intense. Haru reinterpreted 'Rain on the Window,' impressing with his vocal range, while Moon Eun-seok captivated with his performance of 'I Should Have Gotten Off at Daejeon.' Haru emerged victorious, praised for his rapid growth.
The stage was filled with emotion as prodigies Kim Tae-woong and Kim Han-yul performed. Kim Tae-woong delivered a flawless rendition of Joo Hyun-mi's 'Why Am I Crying,' earning high praise from Lim Han-byul. Kim Han-yul, who chose Geum Jan-di's 'Love That Keeps Me Alive' in memory of his late mother, moved the audience to tears, but ultimately, Kim Tae-woong secured the win.
In the 'Flower Boy' battle, Hwang Yoon-sung's energetic performance of 'Oki' was met with acclaim, but Lee Dae-hwan's heartfelt rendition of Lee Chan-won's 'Time and Fate' won over the judges, marking a significant upset.
The final match saw Go Young-tae's powerful performance of 'Prime Time' earn a unanimous 15-0 victory, while Woo Jin-san's EDM rendition of 'Shake It' fell short.
With all renowned singers facing defeat so far, anticipation builds for whether they can reclaim their pride in the remaining matches. The performances aired will be released as '1-on-1 Death Match PART.1' on various music platforms at noon on the 2nd.
The brutal ranking war driven by the uprising of unknown talents continues in the 7th episode, airing on the 8th at 9:40 PM on MBN's 'Legend of the Unknown.'
Ryu Ye-ji, Ten Asia Reporter ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr
